Information

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency or Alpha-1 is a genetic (inherited) condition that may result in serious, chronic lung and/or liver disease at various ages in life (children and adults). Disease is caused by an abnormal alpha1 protein that is mainly produced by the liver. Alpha-1 is diagnosed by a blood test. The most alarming news? Current data suggest that less than 10% of those people living with Alpha-1 have been properly diagnosed.

Alpha-1 is often misdiagnosed as asthma or smoking-related Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). How are the lungs affected? The abnormal alpha-1 protein is trapped in the liver, causing a deficiency of the protein that would normally circulate in the blood and protect the lungs from many types of damage. The main result may be emphysema (destruction of supporting structures/air sacs within the lung), even in adult, never smokers. Despite treatments, including protein replacement, adults may require a lung transplant due to severe emphysema.

Liver disorders are caused by the accumulation of the abnormal alpha-1 protein within the liver cells. The effects of such accumulation can range from abnormal liver function tests without symptoms to severe, symptomatic scarring (cirrhosis of the liver) and, rarely, liver cancer. Children and adults may require a liver transplant if the liver is severely affected

Thank you to our Supporters

We are grateful to our past and present supporters. Please take the time to visit their web sites by clicking on the logos below.

If you or your organisation wants to support or sponsor the AAA, either generally or for a specific project, financially or with other resources, we'd love to hear from you.

Booklets

The AAA has produced an information booklet which contains more detail about A1AD, and a poster for raising awareness. You can access the booklet and poster by clicking on the images below. The poster may be printed locally in A3 or A4 size. Please encourage your family doctor or respiratory physician to put a poster on display in the surgery or patient waiting area! For more information about A1AD, see our Links section.